Methods and devices for in vivo repair of cardiac stimulator leads
First Claim
1. A repair device adapted for attachment to an implantable cardiac stimulator lead situated within, or to be implanted into a person'"'"'s body, and being in need of repair or protection, said repair device comprising:
- a hollow cylindrical sleeve comprising a metallic wire stent capable of assuming initially an expanded configuration and finally a relaxed configuration;
said sleeve having a predetermined length substantially less than that of a conventional cardiac stimulator lead, and in said relaxed configuration having an internal diameter substantially the same as an outer diameter of a conventional cardiac stimulator lead, said relaxed configuration being one in which, at body temperature, causes the greatest amount of compression of said sleeve;
whereby upon being positioned over a predetermined section of a lead in need of protection or repair, and upon assuming said relaxed configuration, said device effectuates repair or prevents damage to said lead.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides devices and methods for using such devices which can be positioned over cardiac stimulator lead sections which are known to be flawed or which are at risk of failure, such as wire stiffener fractures and electrical shorts. The devices and methods of the invention can protect a patient with an implanted cardiac stimulator whose flawed lead represents a threat to his health or life. The devices and methods of use of the invention provide movable sleeves which can be positioned at various points along the length of a lead at the discretion of the heart surgeon.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A repair device adapted for attachment to an implantable cardiac stimulator lead situated within, or to be implanted into a person'"'"'s body, and being in need of repair or protection, said repair device comprising:
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a hollow cylindrical sleeve comprising a metallic wire stent capable of assuming initially an expanded configuration and finally a relaxed configuration; said sleeve having a predetermined length substantially less than that of a conventional cardiac stimulator lead, and in said relaxed configuration having an internal diameter substantially the same as an outer diameter of a conventional cardiac stimulator lead, said relaxed configuration being one in which, at body temperature, causes the greatest amount of compression of said sleeve; whereby upon being positioned over a predetermined section of a lead in need of protection or repair, and upon assuming said relaxed configuration, said device effectuates repair or prevents damage to said lead. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 28, 29)
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18. A repair device adapted for attachment to an implantable cardiac stimulator lead situated within a patient'"'"'s body, and having a flawed wire lead stiffener or defibrillation outer wire coil, said repair device comprising:
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a hollow cylindrical sleeve comprising a metallic wire stent capable of assuming initially an expanded configuration and finally a relaxed configuration; said sleeve having a predetermined length substantially less than that of a conventional cardiac stimulator lead, and in said relaxed configuration having an internal diameter substantially the same as an outer diameter of a conventional cardiac stimulator lead, said relaxed configuration being one in which, at body temperature, causes the greatest amount of compression of said sleeve; whereby upon being positioned over a predetermined section of a lead in need of protection or repair, and upon assuming said relaxed configuration, said device effectuates repair or prevents damage to said lead.
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19. A repair device adapted for attachment to an implantable cardiac stimulator lead situated within a patient'"'"'s body, and having a lead short, said repair device comprising:
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a hollow cylindrical sleeve comprising a metallic wire stent capable of assuming initially an expanded configuration and finally a relaxed configuration; said sleeve having a predetermined length substantially less than that of a conventional cardiac stimulator lead, and in said relaxed configuration having an internal diameter substantially the same as an outer diameter of a conventional cardiac stimulator lead, said relaxed configuration being one in which, at body temperature, causes the greatest amount of compression of said sleeve; whereby upon being slidably positioned over a predetermined section of a lead in need of protection or repair, and upon assuming said relaxed configuration, said device effectuates repair or prevents damage to said lead.
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20. A method of repairing an implantable cardiac stimulator lead, comprising:
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constructing a hollow cylindrical sleeve; said sleeve having a length substantially less than that of a lead situated within, or to be implanted into a patient'"'"'s body, said lead being in need of repair or protection; said sleeve having an internal diameter substantially the same as an outer diameter of said lead; threading said sleeve onto said lead; placing said sleeve along said lead at a position proximal to a predetermined section of said lead subject to or experiencing a defect; positioning said sleeve over said section of said lead and thereby effectuating repair of said lead or preventing further damage from a defect that may occur in said lead while said lead is in the patient'"'"'s body; and
,affixing said sleeve to said lead. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification